Hetzner vs PocketBase
Hetzner is german cloud provider with high-performance servers at unbeatable prices, while PocketBase is open-source backend in a single Go file with real-time DB, auth, and file storage. The biggest difference up front: PocketBase is free, while Hetzner starts at €3.29/mo. Hetzner is built for european developers wanting affordable, powerful servers, whereas PocketBase targets developers wanting a single-file go backend.
| Feature | Hetzner | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| Auth | — | ✓ |
| Block Storage | ✓ | — |
| Cloud VMs | ✓ | — |
| Dedicated Servers | ✓ | — |
| Load Balancers | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time | — | ✓ |
| S3 Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single File | — | ✓ |
Pricing: PocketBase is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Hetzner starts at €3.29/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Hetzner offers Block Storage, Cloud VMs and Dedicated Servers that PocketBase lacks. PocketBase brings Auth, Real-Time and S3 Storage that Hetzner does not have.
Team fit: Hetzner is geared toward any size teams, while PocketBase is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: PocketBase is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Hetzner is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Hetzner's biggest strengths are: includes dedicated servers as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows. includes cloud vms as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows. PocketBase's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes single file as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows.
Watch out for: With Hetzner, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay €3.29/mo from day one to use it. With PocketBase, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.
choose Hetzner if
- You need a tool built for european developers wanting affordable, powerful servers
- You specifically need Block Storage and Cloud VMs
- You care about includes cloud vms as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows
- Your team size fits the any size profile Hetzner is designed for
choose PocketBase if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting a single-file go backend
- Budget is a hard constraint — PocketBase is free, Hetzner is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Auth and Real-Time
- You care about includes single file as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows
frequently asked
What is the difference between Hetzner and PocketBase?
Hetzner is german cloud provider with high-performance servers at unbeatable prices, while PocketBase is open-source backend in a single Go file with real-time DB, auth, and file storage. The biggest difference up front: PocketBase is free, while Hetzner starts at €3.29/mo. Hetzner is built for european developers wanting affordable, powerful servers, whereas PocketBase targets developers wanting a single-file go backend.
Should I use Hetzner or PocketBase?
PocketBase is the free option; Hetzner charges €3.29/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Hetzner over PocketBase?
Choose Hetzner if You need a tool built for european developers wanting affordable, powerful servers; You specifically need Block Storage and Cloud VMs; You care about includes cloud vms as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows; Your team size fits the any size profile Hetzner is designed for.
When should I choose PocketBase over Hetzner?
Choose PocketBase if Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting a single-file go backend; Budget is a hard constraint — PocketBase is free, Hetzner is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Auth and Real-Time; You care about includes single file as a core feature, purpose-built for cloud hosting workflows.
related comparisons
Vercel vs Hetzner · Netlify vs Hetzner · Cloudflare Pages vs Hetzner · Railway vs Hetzner · Render vs Hetzner · Fly.io vs Hetzner · DigitalOcean vs Hetzner · AWS Amplify vs Hetzner